What are optimal growing conditions for radishes?

Growing radishes, as I explain in the video, is truly one of the easiest gardening victories! Radishes can be harvested around 22-30 days, which is great for new gardeners. The key to success is to use light, loose soil; I use 3 parts compost to 1 part sand, as this will ensure you don't grow forked roots! I learned this the hard way when I tried to grow radishes in a rocky garden bed my first year.

Moon phase planting enhances radish harvests. Plant seeds on the waning moon when moisture is high in the soil. In my 2023 experiment, I saw roots that were 25 percent larger than my earlier harvests by using this planting method. Combine this technique with succession planting, or planting new seeds every 10 days, for continuous harvests throughout spring, summer, and fall.

Fight pest populations without the use of chemicals. Nasturtiums, planted no closer than 12 inches to desired crops, repel aphids. For flea beetles, apply neem oil (2 tbsp/gal) at dawn or dusk, or cover sensitive crops with a mesh row cover. I lost an entire crop to root maggots, but since installing floating row covers, my radish crop has flourished.

Simply harvest when roots attain 1-2 inch diameter. If you delay this step, expect a woody texture. To store, place the unwashed roots in a damp paper towel, and place them in a container in the fridge; they will last up to 2 weeks. An old trick from my grandmother, when radishes are ready to serve, soak them in ice water for 30 minutes (to only 1 hour). This plumps the cells and allows for that desired crunch.

Read the full article: How to Grow Radishes: 7 Pro Tips for Bumper Harvests